About SkywarnTM

What is SkywarnTM

The SkywarnTM spotter
program is a nationwide network of volunteers trained by the
National Weather Service (NWS) to report significant weather.
Anyone is welcome to participate.

Why Have Skywarn TM

The NWS staff at
the Cleveland Forecast Office in Ohio, are responsible for issuing
warnings for most of Northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania.
It is impossible to observe conditions in each of these regions
simultaneously during a severe weather event. SkywarnTM volunteers
become our eyes and ears helping to provide better weather watch
and warning services to the public.

When will SkywarnTM
Function?

Information is relayed
to the National Weather Service during tornadoes, severe thunderstorms,
snow storms, flooding, and any other weather event that involves
the use of volunteer storm spotters.

Who will activate
SkywarnTM

The Weather Office
and/or emergency management authorities may activate the SkywarnTM
net usually whenever there is a threat severe weather or the
forecast office issues a severe thunderstorm watch, tornado
watch, or flood watch. In this case, information will be relayed
through our amateur radio repeater.

Where will SkywarnTM
observations be taken?

SkywarnTM reports
are relayed from wherever you are- on the road, in your office,
or at your home- you don't have to travel to any particular
location! It is important, however, to not jeopardize your own
safety while participating in SkywarnTM.

SkywarnTM and HAM
radio operators?

HAM radio operators
have a special place in the Cleveland SkywarnTM system. Our Cleveland
weather office has HAM radio equipment on site. A Skywarn Net
run by the volunteer amateur radio net control operators allow
for reports from the field to be directly heard at the Weather
Service.

How do I join SkywarnTM?

You can learn more
about how to become a trained SkywarnTM Spotter in our
training section